I read about the term BHAG in a book several years ago and have used it ever since. The letters stand for “Big Hairy Audacious Goal.” That is a goal that is nearly impossible to accomplish and will take a great deal of effort to achieve. I try to have one or two BHAGs on my list of goals each year. One of my BHAGs this year is to run a half marathon on April 6th in Corvallis. The last time I ran anything over 10 yards was five years ago when I ran a 10K, 6.2 miles, so this is a monster goal for me; a half marathon is 13.1 miles.

I really don’t want to do this goal; the training time, the pain, the weariness, nothing about this goal is fun. So, I guess the big question is, why do it then? I need something to challenge me and make me work. I have gotten a bit lazy, and I use my age as an excuse to enjoy the comfort of my recliner and my bed and spend too much time resting; after all, I am 75 years old!

Five other guys are running it with me right now, so I have this built-in accountability. I have to do it; if I have to do it, I better do some training.

That is the purpose of goals: to discipline our lazy minds and bodies, to push ourselves out of our comfort zones, and to grow by conquering mountains and BHAGs.